Team Einarson reveals Scotties roster without Briane Harris

With less than a month to go until the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Team Einarson has revealed its lineup — and Briane Harris is not a part of it. 

Harris won four consecutive Scotties as a lead with the team, however, she has not curled with Team Einarson since she was abruptly suspended due to a doping violation. 

After 11 months off the ice with the team, Harris finally received her Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal ruling earlier this month and was cleared to play after being found not at fault. 

Harris is six months pregnant but has expressed a desire to get back with the team and compete in the Scotties. 

In an interview with CBC Sports, skip Kerri Einarson was emotional as she discussed the decision to leave Harris off the roster. 

"It's been extremely tough for all of us having to make this really, really difficult choice. We had to make this decision coming into the new year," Einarson said. 

"It was unfortunate that we had to wait so long. We had to make this decision and have consistency. Without being able to contact Briane and chat with her, it was extremely difficult. I feel horrible."

To complicate matters, second Shannon Birchard is out with a knee injury. It left the team scrambling to find replacements throughout the season.

But now the lineup is set – Krysten Karwacki is in at lead, newly acquired Karlee Burgess will play second in place of Birchard, Val Sweeting stays at third and Einason is skipping. A fifth player has also been secured. The team will be announcing that at a later date.

When asked if Harris was considered for that alternate position, Einarson said they needed to make a decision on that as well before the appeal ruling was made. 

"We couldn't wait. We had to get our roster in.